Brake assembly for height-adjustable patient transport apparatus

ABSTRACT

A patient transport apparatus includes a height-adjustable assembly having a longitudinal axis, and a brake assembly comprising a brake cable. The brake cable includes an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustable assembly and a slack portion. The patient transport apparatus further includes a brake cable housing coupled to and axially offset from the height-adjustable assembly. The slack portion of the brake cable is enclosed within a hollow interior of the brake cable housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/966,572, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,053,062, filed in the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 11, 2015, based onprovisional application Ser. No. 62/213,566 filed Sep. 2, 2015, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference and to whichpriority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

There is provided a brake assembly. In particular, there is provided abrake assembly for height-adjustable patient transport apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,561 to Lynn discloses a transport table withtelescoping members 38 and 40 as seen in FIG. 1 thereof. The tableincludes wheels 44 with brakes 59 which are actuated via cable wires 57and 61. In order to allow the telescoping members 38 and 40 to extendbetween an extended position and a retracted position out of the rearlegs 34 and 36, the cable wires 57 and 61 are provided with slack so asto not interfere with this operation. This length or slack is providedby looping the cable wires 57 and 61 at the lower end of the telescopingmembers 38 and 40.

However, the above system may result in cable wires that are susceptibleto being entangled with other objects or a person's clothing, forexample. In such cases, the wire may be subject to premature wear anddamage. Also, such a configuration of cable wires may inhibit safeoperation of the transport table by causing persons adjacent thereto tobecome entangled and/or fall down, for example.

International Patent Publication Number WO 2004/073578 to Lonkvist todiscloses a wheeled walker. The walker includes a frame member 2 havinga lower end 3, a handle support rod 4 having an upper end 5, and abrake-control means 6 arranged at the upper end of the handle supportrod. The brake-control means is movable between a neutral position and abrake-application position. The walker includes a wheel 7 located at thelower end 3 of the frame member. The distance between the wheel 7 andthe brake-control means 6 is changeable. The walker includes a brakeelement 8 located adjacent the wheel 7. An upper force-transmissionmember 9 is connected to the brake-control means 6 and disposed withinthe frame member 2. A lower force-transmission member 10 is connected tothe brake element 8 and disposed within the frame member 2. There isalso provided a coupling means 11 for coupling-together the upper andthe lower force-transmission members 9, 10. The upper force-transmissionmember and the lower force-transmission member are arranged to movefreely relative to one another when the brake-control means 6 assumesits neutral position. The upper force-transmission member 9 and thelower force-transmission member 10 are arranged to be interconnected bymeans of the coupling means 11 when the brake-control means 6 leaves theneutral position in response to which braking force is transferred tothe brake element 8.

However, such a system may be complicated, require many parts and thusbe relative expensive to manufacture, for example.

There may accordingly be a need for an improved brake cable assembly forheight-adjustable patient transport apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a patient transportapparatus. The apparatus includes a height-adjustable assembly having alongitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a brake cable. The brake cablehas an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustable assemblyand has a slack portion. The apparatus includes a brake cable housingcoupled to and axially offset from the height-adjustable assembly. Theslack portion of the brake cable is enclosed within a hollow interior ofthe brake cable housing.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a patient transportapparatus. The apparatus includes a height-adjustable assembly having alongitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a brake cable. The brake cablehas an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustable assemblyin parallel with said longitudinal axis. The brake cable has a slackportion that extends laterally outwards from the height-adjustableassembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the height-adjustableassembly. The apparatus includes a brake cable housing operativelyconnected to the height-adjustable assembly and shaped to receive andenclose the slack portion of the brake cable.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a brake cable housing fora patient transport apparatus. The brake cable housing has a rearthrough which excess portions of a brake cable enter and exit. The brakecable forms an enlarged loop shape within the brake cable housing whenthe apparatus is in a retracted position. The brake cable forms areduced loop shape spanning a planar area that is less than that of theenlarged loop shape when the apparatus is in an extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, front, left side perspective view of a patienttransport apparatus according to a first aspect, the patient transportapparatus comprising a walker apparatus that includes a foldingmechanism, a seat assembly, and a brake assembly, the brake assemblyincluding a pair of spaced-apart brake cable housings;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view thereof, the right side elevationview of the walker apparatus being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of one of theground-engageable wheels of the walker apparatus of FIG. 1, togetherwith a wheel fork thereof and a wheel-engaging brake member for thebrake assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partially fragmented, cross-sectional viewof the interior of a handle bar assembly of the walker apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the walkerapparatus of FIG. 1, with the brake cable housings thereof beingremoved;

FIG. 7 is an outer side elevation view of one of the brake cablehousings of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an inner side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a top, rear, outer side perspective view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a bottom, rear, outer side perspective view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a rear, top perspective view thereof, the brake cable housingcomprising two half sections, the half sections being angled apartrelative to each to reveal features of the interior of the brake cablehousing;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the brake cable housing of FIG. 7, withone of the half sections of the housing being removed to reveal theinterior of the housing, and a fragmented view of a telescoping assemblyand laterally-extending elongate side members of one side of the walkerapparatus of FIG. 1, the telescoping assembly and part of the brakecable housing being shown partially in ghost;

FIG. 15 is a left side, front perspective view of the walker apparatusof FIG. 14, with the folding mechanism and seat assembly not beingshown, with pairs of telescoping tubes of the walker apparatus beingshown in a retracted position and a brake cable for one of the pairs oftelescoping tubes, the brake cable being shown in ghost;

FIG. 16 is a left side, front perspective view similar to FIG. 15 of thewalker apparatus of FIG. 15, with the folding mechanism and seatassembly not being shown, with the telescoping tubes of the walkerapparatus being shown in an extended position and with the brake cableof FIG. 15 shown in ghost;

FIG. 17 is a top, front, left side perspective view of a patienttransport apparatus according to a second aspect, the patient transportapparatus comprising a walker apparatus that includes a foldingmechanism, a seat assembly, and a brake assembly, the brake assemblyincluding a pair of spaced-apart brake cable housings;

FIG. 18 is a rear, right side perspective view of a patient transportapparatus according to a third aspect, the patient transport apparatuscomprising a combination transport chair and walker apparatus, thecombination transport chair and walker apparatus including a backrestshown in a transport-chair-mode position and a brake assembly with apair of spaced-apart brake cable housings;

FIG. 19 is a front, right side perspective view of the combinationtransport chair and walker apparatus of FIG. 18, with the backrest shownin a walker-mode position;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged right side perspective view of a patienttransport apparatus according to a fourth aspect, the patient transportapparatus comprising a combination transport chair and walker apparatusshown in fragment, the combination transport chair and walker apparatusincluding a laterally-extending assembly and a brake assembly comprisinga pair of brake cable housings;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmented view of the laterally-extendingassembly and brake cable housing of FIG. 20, with one of the halfsections of the housing being removed to reveal the interior of thehousing and a brake cable assembly of the brake assembly;

FIG. 22 is a right side elevation view of a patient transport apparatusaccording to a fifth aspect, the patient transport apparatus comprisinga wheelchair;

FIG. 23 is a right side elevation view of a patient transport apparatusaccording to a sixth aspect, the patient transport apparatus comprisinga commode with wheels;

FIG. 24 is a right side elevation view of a patient transport apparatusaccording to a seventh aspect, the patient transport apparatuscomprising an evacuation chair; and

FIG. 25 is a right side elevation view of a patient transport apparatusaccording to an eighth aspect, the patient transport apparatuscomprising a height-adjustable stretcher.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is shown aheight-adjustable patient transport apparatus. The apparatus may also bereferred to as a travel-assistance apparatus and in this examplecomprises a height-adjustable walker apparatus 20. The apparatus has arear 22 and a front 24 best seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 1, theapparatus 20 has a pair of spaced-apart sides 26 and 28, a top 30 and abottom 32 which is spaced-apart from the top. The rear 22 and front 24of the walker apparatus extend between the sides 26 and 28 thereof andthe top 30 and bottom 32 thereof. The top and bottom of the apparatusalso extend between the sides 26 and 28 thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the walker apparatus 20 includes a pair ofspaced-apart, height/length-adjustable assemblies 34 and 36 aligningwith respective ones of the sides 26 and 28 thereof. Each of the uprightassemblies has a lower end and an upper end, as seen by lower end 38 andupper end 40 for assembly 34. Each of the upright assemblies is heightadjustable in this example and telescopic, with a lower outer elongatemember or tube, and an upper inner elongate member or tube shaped to fitwithin the lower tube. This is seen by outer tube 42 and inner tube 44for assembly 34. As seen in FIG. 1, each of the assemblies 34 has alongitudinal axis 43 along which portion 57 of the outer tube 42 and thetelescoping portion 45 of the inner tube 44 extend.

As seen in FIG. 16, each of the inner tubes 44 has a plurality oflongitudinally spaced-apart apertures 46 which define a length L ofadjustment range. The walker apparatus 20 includes a pair of couplingmechanisms for selectively coupling the pairs of telescoping tubes 42and 44 together, in this example in the form of thumb screws 48. Thethumb screws are rotatably coupled to the outer tubes 42 in thisexample. Selective rotation of the thumb screws causes the thumb screwsto be selectively inserted through one of said apertures 46 of the innertube 44 to fixedly adjust the height of the telescoping tubes. Thisenables the height of the walker apparatus to be adjusted to provide anoptimized handlebar height for the user. The height of the walkerapparatus is thus adjustable from a retracted position of the tubes 42and 44 seen in FIG. 15 to an extended position of the tubes seen in FIG.16 as well as positions therebetween.

As seen in FIG. 6, each of the outer tubes 42 of the upright assemblies34 has an aperture 51 extending therein and which is slot shaped andobround in this example. The apertures face the front 24 of the walkerapparatus 20 in this example. Each aperture 51 is interposed between thelower end 38 and upper end 40 of its upright assembly 34. Each apertureis adjacent to and spaced-apart upwards from the corresponding end 38 ofits upright assembly.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the walker apparatus 20 includes a pair ofspaced-apart laterally-extending assemblies 50 and 52. Thelaterally-extending assemblies align with respective ones of the sides26 and 28 of the walker apparatus and extend from near the bottom 32towards the top 30 thereof. Each of the laterally-extending assembliesincludes a pair of spaced-apart, elongate upper and lower side members,or side frame members, with the upper members being in the form of tubes54 in this example and the lower members being the form of rods 56 inthis example. Each rod has a proximal end 58 coupled to correspondingouter tube 42 and a distal end 60 spaced-apart from its proximal end.Rods 56 thus couple to and extend radially outwards from tubes 42 andupright assemblies 34 and 36. Each rod 56 extends laterally-outwards andperpendicular from its corresponding outer tube 42 towards the front 24of the walker apparatus 20, in this example. Each rod has alongitudinally-extending top 61 which faces corresponding tube 54 of itslaterally-extending assembly 50. As seen in FIG. 15, the tops of therods are curved at least in part in lateral cross-section and outwardlyconvex in lateral cross-section in this example.

Each tube 54 includes a substantially-straight portion 62 in thisexample which is coupled to and extends laterally-outwards fromcorresponding outer tube 42 towards the front 24 of the walker apparatus20. As seen in FIG. 6, aperture 51 of tube 42 is interposed and extendsbetween rod 56 and substantially-straight portion 62 of tube 54 and ispositioned adjacent to rod 56 in this example. Referring to FIG. 1, eachstraight portion 62 of the tubes 54 has a longitudinally-extendingbottom 63 which face the top 61 of its corresponding rod 56. The bottomsof the straight portions of the tubes 54 are curved at least in part inlateral cross-section and outwardly convex in lateral cross-section inthis example. As seen in FIG. 1, each tube 54 includes a curved portion64 in this example which couples to and is interposed between thestraight portion 62 thereof and distal end 60 of its corresponding rod56.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the walker apparatus includes foldingmechanism 66 in this example coupled to and extending between thelaterally-extending assemblies 50 and 52. The folding mechanism isconfigured to enable the walker apparatus 20 to selectively foldlaterally. The walker apparatus includes a seat assembly 68 whichextends between and couples to the straight portions 62 of tubes 54 ofthe laterally-extending assemblies 50 and 52 in this example. Thevarious parts and functionings of the folding mechanism 66 and seatassembly 68 are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,239, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As seen in FIG. 1, the walker apparatus 20 includes a first or frontpair of ground-engageable wheels 70 operatively coupled to and pivotablerelative to the distal ends 72 of the curved portions 64 of tubes 54 byway of wheel forks 74. The walker apparatus includes a second or rearpair of ground-engageable wheels operatively coupled to and rotatablerelative to the lower ends of the upright assemblies. This is shown bywheel 76 operatively coupled to end 38 of assembly 34 via wheel fork 78.

The walker apparatus 20 includes a pair of brake assemblies forrespective ones of its second pair of ground-engageable wheels, as shownby brake assembly 80 for wheel 76 in FIG. 1.

As seen in FIG. 4, each brake assembly includes a wheel-engaging brakemember 82. Each wheel-engaging brake member has a first end 84 and asecond end 86 spaced-apart from the first end. In this example eachwheel-engaging brake member 82 pivotally connects to its respectivewheel fork 78 at a pivot point 88 which is interposed between the firstand second ends of the wheel-engaging brake member. Each wheel-engagingbrake member 82 includes a brake pad 90 in this example coupled to andextending downwards from the first end 84 thereof. Each brake pad facesits corresponding wheel 76. Each wheel-engaging brake member 82 includesin this example a resilient member in the form of a coiled spring 92which extends about the pivot point 88 of the wheel-engaging brakemember. The coiled spring has an elongate end 94 which abuts a side wall96 of the wheel fork 78 in this example. The coiled spring 92 isconfigured to spring-bias the brake pad 90 upwards from wheel 76.

Each wheel-engaging brake member 82 includes a first bore 97 extendingtherethrough adjacent to the second end 86 thereof in this example. Eachwheel-engaging brake member includes a second bore 99 which is threadedin this example and which is adjacent to the second end thereof. Thesecond bore in communication with and which extends perpendicular tobore 97 in this example. Each brake assembly 80 includes a securingmechanism, in this example in the form of a set screw 107 that extendsthrough bore 99 and threadably engages therewith.

Each brake assembly 80 further includes a brake cable, in this examplein the form of a bowden cable 98. The bowden cable includes a flexible,inner cable 100. As seen in FIG. 5, the inner cable has an upper orfirst end 101 with a protrusion, in this example nipple 102 thereat. Thenipple is cylindrical in shape in this example. As seen in FIG. 4, eachinner cable 100 has a lower or second end 103. The second end of theinner cable 100 is operatively coupled to the second end 86 ofwheel-engaging brake member 82 by portion 105 of the cable which extendsthrough bore 97 and thereafter by set screw 107 engaging with saidportion 105. The set screw enables the tension of inner cable 100 to beadjusted by lowering or elevating end 103 of the inner cable andthereafter securing the cable in place via the set screw.

As seen in FIG. 15, each bowden cable 98 has an elongate portion 111which extends along and is primarily enclosed within its correspondingupright assembly 34. The elongate portion of the cable is generallyparallel with longitudinal axis 43 where the elongate portion enterswithin outer tube 42 and the telescoping portion 45 of the inner tube44. Each cable 98 has a slack portion 109 extending through the aperture51 of the assembly 34. The slack portion of the brake cable assembly isa coiled section of the brake cable assembly that is loop-shaped in thisexample. As seen in FIG. 15, the slack portion 109 of the cable 98extends laterally outwards from assembly 34 relative to longitudinalaxis 43.

Referring to FIG. 5, each bowden cable 98 includes a flexible outercasing 108 through which the inner cable 100 extends and is moveablerelative thereto. The casing has a first end 110 seen in FIG. 5 and asecond end 112 seen in FIG. 4. Second end 112 of casing 108 isoperatively coupled to wheel fork 78 via a mount 114 through which innercable 100 extends. Each mount is tubular in this example with a first orupper sleeve 113 with a bore 115 extending therethrough. Each uppersleeve is shaped to extend about and receive corresponding end 112 ofits casing 108. Each mount 114 includes a second or lower sleeve 117coupled to and extending downwards from the upper sleeve 113 thereof.Each lower sleeve includes a bore 119 extending therethrough. Bore 119is shaped to slidably receive inner cable 100 therethrough, is incommunication with bore 115 and has a diameter that is smaller than thatof bore 115 in this example. Lower sleeve 117 is shaped to fit within aninner aperture 121 of the wheel fork 78, with upper sleeve 113 beingconfigured to abut portions 129 of the wheel fork adjacent to saidaperture 121.

Upward movement of inner cable 100 causes end 86 of wheel-engaging brakemember 82 to more upwards relative to FIG. 4, as shown by arrow ofnumeral 122. The upward movement of the cable in turn causes end 84 andbrake pad 90 of the wheel-engaging brake member to move downwards, asshown by arrow of numeral 123, for engaging the pad against the wheel 76and braking the wheel. Thus, each wheel-engaging brake member 82operatively connects to the lower end 38 of its upright assembly 34 seenin FIG. 1. The wheel-engaging brake member 82 as herein described is oneexample only for walker apparatus 20 and the brake assembly 80 may useother braking systems for the bowden cable 98 in other embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 1, the walker apparatus 20 includes a pair of handle barassemblies 124 and 125 coupled to the upper ends 40 of respective onesof the upright assemblies 34 and 36. The walker apparatus includes anarcuate-shaped backrest 127 in this example positioned along the front24 thereof. The backrest is in the shape of a flexible strap in thisexample and extends between the handle bar assemblies 124 and 125. Asseen in FIG. 1, the backrest 127 couples to the handle bar assembliesvia spaced-apart ends 131 and 133 of the backrest.

Each of the handle bar assemblies, as seen by assembly 124 in FIG. 5;includes a first handle lever 126. Each first handle lever has a firstend 128 and a second end 136 spaced-apart from its first end. Each brakeassembly 80 includes a brake actuator, in this example in the form of agripping handle 130 coupled to and extending from end 128 of its lever126. Each handle bar assembly 124 has a handle bar housing 134. Eachfirst handle lever 126 is pivotally mounted via pivot 132 to saidhousing 134.

Each of the handle bar assemblies 124 includes a second handle lever138. Each second handle lever has a first end 142, a second end 144spaced-apart from its first end, a first side 143 facing casing 108 anda second side 145 opposite the first side. Ends 142 and 144 of the lever138 extend between sides 143 and 145 of the lever. Each second handlelever 138 is pivotally mounted to its corresponding handle bar housing134 via pivot 140 located adjacent to the first end 142 thereof. Secondend 136 of first handle lever 126 is positioned to be engageable withsecond handle lever 138 at a location 164 between ends 142 and 144 oflever 138.

Each handle bar assembly 124 includes a link 146 which pivotallyconnects first handle lever 126 to second handle lever 138 via pivot 148which is between ends 128 and 136 of the first handle lever, and pivot150 which is between ends 142 and 144 of the second handle lever. Lever138 has a tapered bore 152 extending therethrough in this exampleadjacent to end 144 thereof. The bore extends from side 143 towards side145 of the lever and is wider in cross-section at side 143 compared toits cross-section adjacent to side 145. Put another way, bore 152enlarges from side 145 to side 143 of the lever 138. Each lever 138further includes in this example a seat 153 that is partially sphericalin this example and which is in communication with bore 152. Each seat153 is adjacent and recessed relative to side 145.

First end 101 of inner cable 100 operatively couples to second end 144of lever 138, and thus operatively connects to gripping handle 130, byportion 154 of the inner cable adjacent to nipple 102 extending throughbore 152. Nipple 102 is larger than bore 152 and is shaped to bereceived by seat 153. As seen in FIG. 1, the gripping handles 130 thusoperatively connect to the upper ends 40 of their upright assemblies 34.The outwardly tapered nature of bore 152 enables portion 154 of theinner cable 100 to selectively tilt upwards and downwards as indicatedby arrow of numeral 157.

End 110 of casing 108 couples to handle bar housing 134 via a mount 156through which inner cable 100 extends. The mount is generallycylindrical in shape in this example and has a first side 159 facingcasing 108 and a second side 161 opposite the first side. Each mount 156includes in this example a seat 163 that is cylindrical in shape andrecessed relative to side 159 thereof. End 110 of casing 108 is shapedto be received within seat 163. Each mount also includes in this examplea tapered bore 165 which extends from side 161 towards side 159 thereof.The bore is wider in cross-section at side 161 relative to where thebore is adjacent to side 159. Put another way, bore 165 enlarges fromside 159 to side 161 of the mount 156. Bore 165 is in communication withseat 163. Portions 167 of inner cable 100 extend through bore 165 as thecable extends to nipple 102. The outwardly tapered nature of bore 165enables portions 167 of the inner cable 100 to selectively tilt upwardsand downwards as indicated by arrow of numeral 169.

In operation and referring to FIG. 5, upward movement of the grippinghandles 130, as shown by arrow of numeral 162, causes end 136 of lever126 to engage lever 138 at location 164 interposed between ends 142 and144 of lever 138. This causes lever 138 to selectively rotate towardsthe front 24 of the walker apparatus 20 in a clockwise directionrelative to FIG. 5 as shown by arrow of numeral 166. End 144 of lever138 and thus end 101 of inner cable 100 are pulled to the right relativeto FIG. 5 thereby. This causes the inner cable 100 to be actuated andmove relative to casing 108 for selectively actuating wheel-engagingbrake member 82 seen in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, each bowden cable 98 thus has a first end coupledto a first portion of an elongate assembly, in this example in the formof the wheel-engaging brake member 82 seen in FIG. 4 of upright assembly34 seen in FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 5, each cable also has a secondend coupled to a second portion of the elongate assembly with the secondportion's positioning relative to the first portion being adjustable, inthis example in the form of handle bar assembly 124 for upright assembly34.

The gripping handle 130 seen in FIG. 5 and related linking assembly asherein described are one example only for walker apparatus 20 and thebrake assembly 80 may use other brake actuators for the bowden cable 98in other embodiments.

The walker apparatus 20 described to this stage is directed to oneexample of a walker apparatus and walker apparatuses of other shapes andconfigurations are possible, as would be clear to one skilled in theart. For example, the laterally-extending assemblies, handles, backrest,folding mechanism, wheel assemblies and seat assembly of the walkerapparatuses set out in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,083,239 and 9,339,432 could beused in other embodiments, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 1, the walker apparatus 20 includes a pair of hollow,brake cable housings corresponding to respective ones of the uprightassemblies, as seen by brake cable housing 168 for upright assembly 34.As seen in FIG. 14, each housing is shaped to enclose the slack portions109 of its corresponding bowden cable 98. Each brake cable housing 168is generally in the shape of a hollow, rectangular prism in thisexample.

As seen in FIG. 9, each brake cable housing has an elongate top 170 andan upper peripheral edge portion 172 extending along the top. As seen inFIG. 11, the upper peripheral edge portion is u-shaped and outwardlyconcave in an upwards direction in this example. Referring to FIG. 14,the upper peripheral edge portion 172 of the housing 168 is shaped toalign with and receive the bottom 63 of the substantially-straightportion 62 of tube 54 in this example. However, this is not strictlyrequired and the housing may couple to the walker apparatus in anothermanner and at another location on its framing or laterally-extendingassembly 50 according to other embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 10, each housing 168 has an elongate bottom 174 oppositeits top 170 and a lower peripheral edge portion 176 extending along saidbottom. As seen in FIG. 11, the lower peripheral edge portion 176 isu-shaped and outwardly concave in a downwards direction in this example.Referring to FIG. 14, the lower peripheral edge portion of the housing168 is shaped to align with, extend along in part and receive the top 61of rod 56 in this example. Each housing 168 is thus interposed andextends between one rod 56 and a corresponding substantially-straightportion 62 of tube 54. Here too this is not strictly required and thehousing may couple to the walker apparatus in another manner and atanother location on its framing or laterally-extending assembly 50 inother embodiments. As seen in FIG. 1, frame members, in this exampletube 54, rod 56 and a portion 57 of the outer tube 42, extend about,protect and enclose brake cable housing 168.

Referring to FIG. 9, each housing 168 further includes an elongate rear178 which extends between the top 170 and bottom 174 thereof and whichis generally u-shaped in cross-section in this example. As seen in FIG.14, the rear of the housing extends along and is shaped to abut andreceive a portion 180 of tube 42 of its corresponding upright assembly34 extending between the tube 54 and rod 56 in this example. However,this manner and location of connection is not strictly required andinstead of directly connecting, the housing may merely operativelyconnect to the upright assembly 34 in other embodiments. Brake cablehousing 168 thus couples to and is axially offset from the tubes 42 and44 of assembly 34.

As seen in FIG. 9, each brake cable housing 168 includes a hollowprotrusion 182 which extends outwards from rear 178 thereof. Eachprotrusion includes a peripheral rim portion 181 which couples to andextends outwards from the rear of the housing. The rim portion isobround in this example as best seen in FIG. 11. Rim portion 181 isshaped to fit within oblong aperture 51 of tube 42 as seen in FIG. 6. Asseen in FIG. 14, portions 53 of tube 42 extending around the apertureare configured to snugly abut with the rim portion 181 in this example.

As seen in FIG. 9, the protrusion includes a lower section 177 that isgenerally in the shape of a right triangular prism in this example andwhich couples to and extends outwards from rim portion 181. Eachprotrusion 182 includes an elongate bottom 183 which aligns with and isadjacent to bottom 174 of housing 168. The lower section 177 of theprotrusion includes a pair of spaced-apart planar sides 185 and 187which are generally triangular in shape in this example. The sides ofthe protrusion 182 extend from the bottom 183 of the protrusion towardsthe top 170 of the housing 168. As seen in FIG. 11, sides 185 and 187are inwardly spaced-apart from and extend in parallel with sides 186 and188 of housing 168 in this example.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, each protrusion includes a pair ofresilient members, in this example in the form of resilient tabs 189 and191 outwardly extending from respective ones of sides 185 and 187. Asseen in FIG. 14, the tabs are shaped to outwardly abut portions adjacentportions 55 of tube 42 when the lower section 177 of the protrusion 182is positioned within aperture 51 of the tube 42.

As seen in FIG. 9, the lower section 177 of protrusion 182 includes arear 195 which is slanted in this example and which extends from bottom183 towards the top 197 of rim portion 181. Rear 195 is elongate andextends between sides 185 and 187 of the lower section 177 of theprotrusion. Each protrusion includes a recessed aperture 193 extendingthrough rear 195 of lower section 177 thereof. The aperture isinterposed between the sides 185 and 187 and bottom 183 of theprotrusion.

As seen in FIG. 14 and mentioned above, the lower section 177 ofprotrusion 182 extends through aperture 51 of the corresponding tube 42for mounting the brake cable housing 168 to the upright assembly 34. Asseen in FIG. 1, each brake cable housing 168 thus operatively connectsto its corresponding upright assembly 34 at a location between itsgripping handle 130 and wheel-engaging brake member 82.

As best seen in FIG. 12, each housing 168 has a front 184 spaced-apartfrom the rear 178 thereof as best seen in FIG. 11. Referring back toFIG. 12, the front of the housing extends between the top 170 and bottom174 thereof. As seen in FIG. 15, the front 184 of the housing 168 issubstantially vertically-extending and straight in this example.

The brake cable housings have inner sides which face each other, as seenin FIG. 8 by inner side 186 for housing 168. Each housing includes anouter side 188 facing opposite from its inner side. The inner and outersides of the housing 168 are substantially planar and rectangular inthis example and extend between the top 170, bottom 174, rear 178 andfront 184 of the housing.

As seen in FIG. 11, each brake cable housing 168 includes a first part190 which extends between top 170, bottom 174, rear and front thereofand which extends from its inner side 186 towards outer side 188. Asseen in FIG. 1, the first part of the housing extends between and abutsrod 56 and portion 62 of tube 54 at a first or inner side 196 thereofseen in FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 9, each brake cable housing 168 includes a second part192 that is complementary to, selectively connectable to and selectivelyremovable from part 190. Parts 190 and 192 are respective halves of thehousing in this example though this is not strictly required. Part 192extends between the top 170, bottom 174, rear 178 and front 184 of thehousing 168, and extends from the outer side 188 of the housing towardsthe inner side 186 of the housing. Part 192 is shaped to selectivelycouple with part 190 via a plurality of fasteners 194 in this example asseen in FIG. 8. As seen in FIG. 1, part 192 extends between and abutsrod 56 and portion 62 of tube 54 at a second or outer side thereof 198.The brake cable housing 168 selectively couples to its correspondinglaterally-extending assembly 50 of the walker apparatus 20 thereby.

As seen in FIG. 14, each brake cable housing 168 has an interior space200 that is generally crescent-shaped in this example. Each brake cablehousing has an outer portion 202 which extends along the top 170, bottom174, rear 178, and front 184 thereof and, as seen in FIG. 11, betweensides 186 and 188 thereof. As seen in FIG. 14, the outer portion 202 ofthe housing has an inner wall or peripheral edge 204 which encloses theinterior space 200 thereof along with the sides of the housing. Theinner peripheral edge of the outer portion is inwardly concave and isgenerally tear-drop shaped in this example. The outer portion 202 of thehousing has a central axis 206 in this example.

Each housing 168 includes an inner portion 208 positioned within theinterior space 200 thereof. The inner portion of the housing has anouter peripheral edge 210 which is outwardly convex in this example. Theinner portion 208 of the housing 168 has a central axis 212 which isaxially offset from the central axis 206 of the outer portion 202 of thehousing.

As seen in FIG. 14, the brake cable housing 168 receives and in thisexample encloses a slack portion 109 of bowden cable 98 within interiorspace 200 thereof. The brake cable housing includes an upper passageway214 within the interior space thereof. The upper passageway extends fromthe rear 178 of the housing adjacent to aperture 51 towards the top 170and front 184 of the housing. The upper passageway 214 is downwardlyconcave in shape in this example. The upper passageway is shaped toreceive excess portions 216 of the bowden cable 98 extending from thewheel-engaging brake member 82 and thus lower end 103 of inner cable 100seen in FIG. 4.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the brake cable housing 168 includes a lowerpassageway 218 within the interior space 200 thereof. Aperture 193 oflower section 177 of protrusion 182 is part of the lower passageway inthis example. The lower passageway 218 thus extends through protrusion182 of the housing 168 in this example towards the bottom 174 and front184 of the housing. The lower passageway 218 is upwardly concave inshape in this example. The lower passageway 218 is shaped to receiveexcess portions 220 of bowden cable 98 extending from the grippinghandle 130 as seen in FIG. 5 and thus extending from end 101 of innercable 100.

As seen in FIG. 14, each brake cable housing 168 includes a chamber 222within the interior space 200 thereof. The chamber is interposed betweenand in communication with the passageways 214 and 218. Thecross-sectional widths of the upper passageway and the lower passagewaytaper so as to increase as the passageways extend from the uprightassembly 34 towards the chamber 222. This is shown by width W₁ ofpassageway 218 adjacent to tube 42 being smaller than width W₂ of thepassageway 218 adjacent chamber 222. The chamber is shaped to receivefurther excess portions 224 of bowden cable 98 coupled to and integrallyformed with excess portions 216 and 220 thereof. The chamber 222 isconcave in this example in a direction facing the upper passageway 214and the lower passageway 218. The chamber is larger in volume andcross-section width W₃ compared to the upper passageway 214 and comparedto the lower passageway 218. As seen in FIG. 13, the chamber 222 isc-shaped in this example.

In operation and referring to FIG. 15, slack portion 109 of bowden cable98 abuts the inner peripheral edge 204 of the outer portion 202 of itscorresponding housing 168 when the walker apparatus 20 is its retractedposition. As seen in FIG. 14, the slack portion of the bowden cable 98extends at least in part between the outer peripheral edge 210 of theinner portion 208 of housing 168 and inner peripheral edge 204 of outerportion 202 of the housing when the walker apparatus 20 is in anintermediate position between the retracted position seen in FIG. 15 andthe extended position seen in FIG. 16.

As seen in FIG. 16, slack portion 109 of bowden cable 98 abuts the outerperipheral edge 210 of the inner portion 208 of its correspondinghousing 168 when the walker apparatus 20 is its extended position. Theslack portion 109 of bowden cable 98 forms an enlarged loop in theretracted position of the apparatus 20 seen in FIG. 15. As seen in FIG.16, the slack portion of Bowden cable forms a reduced loop shapespanning a planar area that is less than that of the enlarged loop shapewhen the apparatus is in an extended position seen in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a height-adjustable walker apparatus 20.1 according to asecond aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as theheight-adjustable walker apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 with theaddition of decimal extension “.1”. Walker apparatus 20.1 issubstantially the same as walker apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16with the following exceptions. Front 184.1 of the housing 168.1 isoutwardly convex in a direction facing the front 24.1 of the walkerapparatus 20.1 in this example instead of being substantiallyvertically-extending and straight in this example like front 184 ofhousing 168 seen in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 18 to 19 show a height-adjustable patient transport apparatusaccording to a third aspect, in this example a combination transportchair and walker apparatus 20.2. Like parts have like numbers andfunctions as the apparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 with the additionof decimal extension “.2”. Apparatus 20.2 is substantially the same asapparatus 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 with the following exceptions.

As seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, the apparatus 20.2 includes a pair of footrest assemblies 226 and 228. The foot rest assemblies include foot rests230 and 232 that are positioned along the front 24.2 and bottom 32.2 ofthe apparatus, with foot rest 230 being adjacent to side 28.2 and footrest being adjacent to side 26.2. The foot rests are planar andrectangular in shape in this example and are shaped to receiverespective feet of a person who is sitting on seat assembly 68.2 whilesitting facing the front of the apparatus 20.2.

Referring to FIG. 18, each of the foot rest assemblies 226 and 228includes length-adjustable framing, in this example in the form oftelescoping tubes 234 and 236. Outer tube 234 selectively couples to itsrespective laterally-extending assembly 50.2 via a coupling mechanism,in this example clamps 238 and 240 that extend about curved portion 64.2of tube 54.2. Inner tube 236 couples to foot rest 230 and is received inpart within the outer tube. Each of the foot rest assemblies 226 and 228includes an adjustable mechanism, in this example a thumb screw 242.Loosening of the thumb screw enables inner tube 236 to be rotatablerelative to outer tube 234 and enables the extent to which the innertube extends outwards from the outer tube to be adjustable. When adesired length of tubing and angular position of the foot rests 230 isobtained, the thumb screw 242 is tightened to couple the inner and outertubes together.

The apparatus 20.2 has a transportation chair mode seen in FIG. 18 inwhich backrest 127.2 is in a transport-chair-mode position. The backrestin this position extends between its ends 131.2 and 133.2 towards andadjacent to the rear 22.2 of the apparatus.

As seen in FIG. 19, the backrest 127.2 includes a pair of adjustmentmechanisms 244 and 246 adjacent to the ends 131.2 and 133.2 thereof. Thethumb screws when loosened enable the backrest to move from thetransport-chair-mode position seen in FIG. 18, to a walker-mode positionseen in FIG. 19. The backrest 127.2 in this position extends from itsends 131.2 and 133.2 towards the front 24.2 of the apparatus 20.2. Whenthe desired backrest position is achieved, the thumb screws aretightened to inhibit rotation of the backrest relative to the uprightassemblies 34.2 and 36.2 thereafter. Apparatus 20.2 thus can be atransportation chair at times and a walker apparatus at times. Thus, theapparatus can be configured as a transport chair or walker apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 18, lower side frame member, in this example tube 56.2is J-shaped and has wheels 70.2 and 76.2 operatively connected theretoat distal ends 58.2 and 60.2 thereof. Upright assemblies 34.2 and 36.2are positioned between the front 24.2 and the rear 22.2 of the apparatus20.2 in this example. Tube 42.2 couples and extends upwards from tube56.2. Tubes 42.2, 44.2 and 56.2 are similar in diameter in this example,with tubes 54.2 being smaller in diameter compared thereto.

As seen in FIG. 18, bottom 174.2 of brake cable housing 168.2 couples toand abuts top 61.2 of frame member 56.2 in this example. Elongate rear178.2 of the brake cable housing couples to and abuts the outer tube42.2 adjacent to frame member 56.2 in this case. Substantially straightportion 62.2 of tube 54.2 is spaced-apart above of the brake cablehousing 168.2 in this example and curved portion 64.2 of the tube ispositioned forward of the brake cable housing.

FIGS. 20 to 21 show a height-adjustable patient transport apparatusaccording to a fourth aspect, in this example a combination transportchair and walker apparatus 20.3. Like parts have like numbers andfunctions as the apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 18 to 19 with decimalextension “.3” replacing decimal extension “.2” and being added fornumbers not previously having decimal extensions. Apparatus 20.3 issubstantially the same as apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 18 to 19 withthe following exceptions.

As seen in FIG. 20, top 170.3 of brake cable housing 168.3 couples toand abuts bottom 63.3 of an upper side frame member, in this examplesubstantially-straight portion 62.3 of upper tube 54.3. Elongate rear178.3 of the brake cable housing couples to and abuts the uprightassembly 34.3 in this case. Lower side frame member 56.3 is spaced-apartbelow of the brake cable housing 168.3 in this example and curvedportion 64.3 of tube 54.3 is positioned forward of the brake cablehousing.

As seen in FIG. 21, brake cable housing 168.3 is generally c-shaped incross section. The chamber 222.3 is generally oval-shaped ortear-dropped and the housing thus does not include the inner portion208, upper passageway 214 or lower passageway 218 seen in FIG. 14 forapparatus 20 in this example.

FIG. 22 shows a height-adjustable patient transport apparatus accordingto a fifth aspect, in this example a wheelchair 20.4. Like parts havelike numbers and functions as the apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 18 to 19with decimal extension “.4” replacing decimal extension “.2” and beingadded for numbers not previously having decimal extensions. Wheelchair20.4 is substantially the same as apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 18 to 19with the following exceptions.

The wheelchair has a pair of spaced-apart front wheels 70.4 and a pairof spaced-apart, enlarged, hand-propelled rear wheel 76.4. Thewheelchair 20.4 includes a pair of spaced-apart height-adjustableassemblies 34.4 to which corresponding gripping handles 130.4 couple atupper ends 40.4 of the height-adjustable assemblies.

The wheelchair 20.4 includes various u-shaped frames 248 and 250 perlaterally-extending assembly 50.4 in this example. Armrests 252 coupleto and extend along the tops 251 of respective ones of frames 250. Theframes 248 and 250 couple to and extend upwards from tube 54.4 in thisexample. The wheelchair 20.4 includes brake assemblies 80.4, with abrake cable housing 168.4 per side thereof. Each brake cable housing isposition within the square-shaped opening 254 formed by correspondingframe 250 and tube 54.4 in this example. Bottom 174.4 of the brake cablehousing 168.4 couples to tube 54.4 and rear 178.4 of the brake cablehousing couples to upright portion 256 of frame 250 in this example.

The wheelchair includes an upright backrest 131.4 which couples to theupright portion of frame 250 in this example. Tubes 42.4 of theheight-adjustable assemblies 34.4 also couple to frame 250 in thisexample.

The wheelchair 20.4 includes a vertically-extending hollow frame member,in this example tube 253 per side thereof, with the frame memberextending between tube 54.4 and rod 56.4 in this example.

Bowden cable 98.4 is positioned within the framing of the wheelchair20.4, in this example within tubes 44.4, 42.4, 54.4, and 253, with slackportion 109.4 of the Bowden cable being enclosed within the brake cablehousing 168.4 in a like manner as described previously. The brake cablehousing is shaped to accommodate varying amounts of excess portions ofthe cable as the vertical positioning of the gripping handles 130.4 isadjusted by the user as needed. Actuation of the gripping handle causesthe cable 98.4 to move spring-biased brake pad 90.4 so as to selectivelyengage and brake front wheel 70.4. This functions to inhibit movement ofthe wheelchair 20.4 in a like manner as previous described above. Thebrake pads 90.4 pivotally couple to rods 56.4 adjacent to the frontwheels in this example.

FIG. 23 shows a height-adjustable patient transport apparatus accordingto a sixth aspect, in this example a wheeled commode 20.5. Like partshave like numbers and functions as the apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS. 18to 19 with decimal extension “.5” replacing decimal extension “.2” andbeing added for numbers not previously having decimal extensions.Commode 20.5 is substantially the same as apparatus 20.2 shown in FIGS.18 to 19 with the following exceptions.

The commode has a pair of spaced-apart front wheels 70.5 and a pair ofspaced-apart rear wheel 76.5. The commode includes a pair ofspaced-apart height-adjustable upright assemblies 34.5 to which grippinghandles 130.5 couple at upper ends 40.5 of the height-adjustableassemblies.

The commode 20.5 includes a chamber pot 258 which couples to and extendsdownwards from seat 68.5 thereof. The commode includes an uprightbackrest 131.5 which couples to and extends upwards from the seat.

The commode 20.5 includes a u-shaped frame 260 per laterally-extendingassembly 50.5 in this example. Armrests 262 couple to and extend alongthe top 263 of respective ones of the frames. Each frame 260 couples toand extends upwards from a respective rod 56.5. Tube 54.5 is positionedbetween the rod and top 263 of the frame in this example and couples toand extends between the frame.

The commode 20.5 includes brake assemblies 80.5 to selectively brakewheels 70.5 in this example. Each brake assembly includes a brake cablehousing 168.5 positioned within the opening 264 formed by frame 260 andtube 54.5 in this example. Bottom 174.5 of the brake cable housingcouples to the top 61.5 of rod 56.5 in this example. Rear 178.5 of thebrake cable housing 168.5 couples to upright portion 266 of frame 260 inthis example. Tubes 42.5 of the height-adjustable upright assemblies34.5 couple to the upright portions 266 of frames 260 in this example.

Bowden cable 98.5 is positioned within the framing of the commode 20.5,in this example extending within tubes 44.5 and 42.5 and rod 56.5. Slackportion 109.5 of the cable is enclosed within the brake cable housing168.5 in a like manner as described previously. The brake cable housingis shaped to accommodate varying amounts of excess portions of the cableas the vertical positioning of the gripping handles 130.5 is adjusted bythe user as needed. Actuation of gripping handle 130.5 causes the cable98.5 to move the spring-biased brake pad 90.5 to selectively engage andbrake front wheel 70.5. This functions to inhibit movement of thecommode in a like manner as previous described above. The brake padspivotally couple to rods 56.5 adjacent to the front wheels 70.5 in thisexample.

FIG. 24 shows a height-adjustable patient transport apparatus accordingto a seventh aspect, in this example an evacuation chair 20.6. Likeparts have like numbers and functions as the apparatus 20.2 shown inFIGS. 18 to 19 with decimal extension “.6” replacing decimal extension“.2” and being added for numbers not previously having decimalextensions. Evacuation chair 20.6 is substantially the same as apparatus20.2 shown in FIGS. 18 to 19 with the following exceptions.

The evacuation chair includes a pair of spaced-apart front wheels 70.6and a pair of spaced-apart rear wheel 76.6. The evacuation chair 20.6includes a pair of height/length-adjustable assemblies at adjacent sidesthereof and to which respective laterally-extending assemblies pivotallyconnect. This is shown by height-adjustable upright assembly 34.6pivotally connecting with laterally-extending assembly 50.6 between thelower end 38.6 and upper end 40.6 thereof. Front wheels 70.6 arerotatably mounted to the height-adjustable assemblies upright 34.6adjacent to the lower ends thereof.

A foot-support, in this example in the form of u-shaped frame 272pivotally couples to and is extendable outwards from lower ends 38.6 ofthe height-adjustable assemblies upright 34.6.

The evacuation chair 20.6 includes a pair of wheel folding assemblies274 per side thereof. Each folding assembly includes a pair of baseframe members 276 and 278 that pivotally couple together via axle 279.Base frame member 276 pivotally couples to front wheel 70.6. Rear wheels76.6 rotatably mount to base frame members 278. Each folding assemblyincludes in this example a hydraulic actuator 280 that pivotallyconnects to and couples together base frame member 278 and front wheel70.6. Rear end 282 of laterally-extending assembly 50.6 pivotallycouples to axle 279 in this example. The folding mechanisms, footsupport, height-adjustable assemblies and laterally-extending assembliesof the evacuation chair 20.6 are configured to selectively fold uponthemselves to form a compact form when the evacuation chair is notneeded. Evacuation chairs per se, including their various parts andfunctionings, are well known to those skilled in the art and detailsregarding folding mechanisms in this regard will thus not be describedin further detail.

The evacuation chair 20.6 includes a flexible member 284 with a bottomportion in the form of a seat 68.6 and an upright portion in the form ofbackrest 131.6. The flexible member extends between the sides 28.6 ofthe evacuation chair with a lower end 286 mounted to distal ends 288 ofthe laterally-extending assemblies 50.6. An upper end 290 of theflexible member 286 couples to the upright assemblies 34.6 at a locationadjacent to the thumb screw 48.6 in this example.

The evacuation chair 20.6 includes brake assemblies 80.6 which includespring-biased brake pads 90.6. The brake pads are mounted to theheight-adjustable upright assemblies 34.6 adjacent to the front wheels70.6 of the evacuation chair. The brake assemblies 80.6 include a brakecable housing 168.6 per side thereof. The front 184.6 of each brakecable housing couples to and extends along a respective tube 42.6 of itscorresponding upright assembly 34.6 in this example.

Bowden cable 98.6 is positioned within the framing of the evacuationchair 20.6, in this example within tubes 44.6 and 42.6, with slackportion 109.6 of the Bowden cable being enclosed within the brake cablehousing 168.6 in a like manner as described previously. The brake cablehousing is shaped to accommodate varying amounts of excess portions ofthe cable as the positioning of the gripping handles 130.6 is adjustedby the user as needed. Actuation of the gripping handle causes the cable98.6 to move spring-biased brake pad 90.6 so as to selectively engageand brake front wheel 70.6. This functions to inhibit movement of theevacuation chair 20.6 in a like manner as previous described above. Thebrake pads 90.6 pivotally couple to the upright assembly 34.6 adjacentto the front wheels 70.6 in this example.

FIG. 25 shows a height-adjustable patient transport apparatus accordingto an eighth aspect, in this example a height-adjustable stretcher 20.7.Like parts have like numbers and functions as the apparatus 20.2 shownin FIGS. 18 to 19 with decimal extension “.7” replacing decimalextension “.2” and being added for numbers not previously having decimalextensions. Stretcher 20.7 is substantially the same as apparatus 20.2shown in FIGS. 18 to 19 with the following exceptions.

The stretcher includes a horizontally-extending upper platform 294 upona body mattress 296 and head cushion 298 couple and extend in thisexample. The stretcher 20.7 includes a base, in this example a baseframe assembly 300 to which front wheels 70.7 rotatably mount at aforward end 302 thereof and to which rear wheels 76.7 mount at arearward end 304 thereof.

The stretcher includes a height-adjustment mechanism 34.7 which in thisexample comprises a pair of crossed-linking telescoping assemblies 306and 308 that are hollow in this example. The telescoping assembliespivotally couple to and extend between platform 294 and base frameassembly 300. Height-adjustment mechanisms for stretchers, includingtheir various parts and functionings, are known per se and thus will notbe described in further detail.

The stretcher 20.7 includes a pair of gripping handles 130.7 that coupleto the bottom 310 of platform 294 in this example adjacent to therearward end 312 of the platform.

The stretcher 20.7 includes brake assemblies 80.7 to selectively brakewheels 76.7 in this example. Each brake assembly includes a brake cablehousing 168.7. In this example the top 170.7 of each brake cable housingcouples to and extends along the bottom 310 of the platform 294 adjacentto the rearward end 312 of the platform.

Bowden cable 98.7 is positioned within the framing of the stretcher20.7, in this example extending within platform 294, rearward tubing 314telescoping assembly 306 and rearward tubing 316 of telescoping assembly308. Slack portion 109.7 of the cable is enclosed within the brake cablehousing 168.7 in a like manner as described previously. The brake cablehousing is shaped to accommodate varying amounts of excess portions ofthe cable as the height of the stretcher is adjusted as needed.Actuation of gripping handle 130.7 causes the cable 98.7 to move thespring-biased brake pad 90.7 to selectively engage and brake rear wheels70.7. This functions to inhibit movement of the stretcher in a likemanner as previous described above. The brake pads 90.7 pivotally coupleto the base frame assembly 300 adjacent to the rear wheels 76.7 in thisexample.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within thescope of the invention described herein. It will also be understood bysomeone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above areby way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention which is to be determined with reference to at least thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient transport apparatus, comprising: aheight-adjustable assembly having a longitudinal axis; a side framemember coupled to the height-adjustable assembly, the side frame memberextending outwardly from the height-adjustable assembly relative to thelongitudinal axis of the height-adjustable assembly; a brake cablehaving an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustableassembly and having a slack portion; and a brake cable housing coupledto and axially offset from the height-adjustable assembly and coupled toand abutting the side frame member, the slack portion of the brake cablebeing enclosed within a hollow interior of the brake cable housing. 2.The patient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brakecable is a bowden cable.
 3. The patient transport apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein the height-adjustable assembly comprises an innertube telescopically received within an outer tube.
 4. The patienttransport apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the brake cablehousing is coupled to one of the inner and outer tubes.
 5. The patienttransport apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the tubes hasan aperture extending therethrough, the slack portion of the brake cableextending through the aperture, and wherein the brake cable housing isin communication with the one of the inner and outer tubes via theaperture.
 6. The patient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1,further comprising at least one gripping handle coupled to theheight-adjustable assembly, wherein the height-adjustable assemblyenables the gripping handle to move from a retracted position to anextended position, and wherein the slack portion of the brake cable isloop-shaped and enlarged when the gripping handle is in the retractedposition.
 7. The patient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1,further comprising at least one gripping handle coupled to theheight-adjustable assembly, wherein the height-adjustable assemblyenables the gripping handle to move from a retracted position to anextended position, and wherein the slack portion of the brake cableabuts an inner wall of the brake cable housing when the gripping handleis in the retracted position.
 8. The patient transport apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the brake cable housing has an inner wallthat is inwardly concave.
 9. The patient transport apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein the brake cable housing has an inner wall that istear-drop shaped.
 10. The patient transport apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the brake cable housing is rectangular.
 11. The patienttransport apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side frame memberand at least one additional frame member extend about and protect thebrake cable housing.
 12. The patient transport apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the apparatus is a transportation chair.
 13. Thepatient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatusis a walker apparatus.
 14. The patient transport apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a walker apparatus, atransportation chair, a combination transportation chair and walkerapparatus, a wheelchair, a wheeled commode, an evacuation chair and astretcher.
 15. The patient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the brake cable housing is generally c-shaped in cross section.16. The patient transport apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein theelongate portion of the brake cable extends parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the height-adjustable assembly and wherein theslack portion of the brake cable extends laterally outwards from theheight-adjustable assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of theheight-adjustable assembly.
 17. The patient transport apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the brake cable housing has a rear throughwhich excess portions of the brake cable enter and exit, wherein thebrake cable forms an enlarged loop shape within the brake cable housingwhen the height adjustable assembly is in a retracted position, andwherein the brake cable forms a reduced loop shape spanning a planararea that is less than that of the enlarged loop shape when the heightadjustable assembly is in an extended position.
 18. The patienttransport apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slack portion ofthe brake cable includes a loop.
 19. A patient transport apparatus,comprising: a height-adjustable assembly having a longitudinal axis; aside frame member coupled to the height-adjustable assembly, the sideframe member extending outwards from the height-adjustable assemblyrelative to the longitudinal axis of the height-adjustable assembly, theside frame member having a bottom; a brake cable having an elongateportion extending along the height-adjustable assembly and having aslack portion; and a brake cable housing axially offset from theheight-adjustable assembly, the brake cable housing having an elongaterear coupled to and abutting the height-adjustable assembly and anelongate top coupled to and abutting the bottom of the side framemember; the slack portion of the brake cable being enclosed within ahollow interior of the brake cable housing.
 20. A patient transportapparatus, comprising: a height-adjustable assembly having alongitudinal axis; a side frame member coupled to the height-adjustableassembly, the side frame member extending outwards from theheight-adjustable assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of theheight-adjustable assembly, the side frame member having a top; a brakecable having an elongate portion extending along the height-adjustableassembly and having a slack portion; and a brake cable housing axiallyoffset from the height-adjustable assembly, the brake cable housinghaving an elongate rear coupled to and abutting the height-adjustableassembly and an elongate bottom coupled to and abutting the top of theside frame member; the slack portion of the brake cable being enclosedwithin a hollow interior of the brake cable housing.